Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Councillor Harker back to his first meeting since his recent illness and welcomed Councillor Brett to his first meeting as a member of the Board.

To identify items where resolutions may be moved to exclude the public

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of appendices 1, 2 and 4 to the report referred to in minute 12 and during consideration of the appendix to the report referred to in minute 17.

To declare any personal/prejudical interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor Wakefield declared a personal interest in the item relating to the regeneration of the Florence Street area of Harehills (minute 12) as a non-executive director of the East Leeds Primary Care Trust.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th May 2006

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th May 2006 be approved.

To consider the report of the Acting Chief Officer Executive Support on the production of the Council Plan containing the Best Value Performance Plan to be presented to Council for approval on 21^st June in advance of publication in its final form on 30^th June 2006

The Acting Chief Officer Executive Support submitted a report on the production of the Council Plan containing the Best Value Performance Plan to be presented to Council for approval on 21^st June in advance of publication in its final form on 30^th June 2006.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted and that Council be recommended:

(i)  to approve the Council Plan to allow publication by 30^th June 2006

(ii)  to authorise the Chief Executive to update and complete the Council Plan with any outstanding information prior to its publication on 30^th June 2006

(iii)  to authorise the Executive Board to make any necessary in-year amendments to the Council Plan subject to the amendments being reported to the next available Council meeting

(b)  That a report be brought to the next meeting of the Board on the content of the Plan.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Executive Support providing background information, outlining the processes undertaken in the development of the Equality and Diversity Strategy, outlining how it will be developed and monitored and seeking approval of the strategy prior to a launch event on 29^th June 2006

The Acting Chief Officer, Executive Support submitted a report providing background information, outlining the processes undertaken in the development of the Equality and Diversity Strategy, outlining how it will be developed and monitored and seeking approval of the strategy prior to a launch event on 29^th June 2006

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted and that approval be given to the Equality and Diversity Strategy 2006-2008

(b)  That equality and diversity updates be brought to this Board on a six monthly basis

To consider the report of the Director of Corporate Services on the Council’s financial performance for the year ending 31^st March 2006, prior to the submission of the annual accounts to the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee for approval, and subject to audit

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report on the Council’s financial performance for the year ending 31^st March 2006, prior to the submission of the annual accounts to the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee for approval, subject to audit

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted and that approval be given to the proposals contained in paragraph 5.0 of the report with regard to the treatment of reserves and carry forward

(b)  That approval be given to the creation of an earmarked reserve in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as detailed in paragraph 7.3 of the report

To consider the report of the Director of Development providing an overview of the response to the Proposed Modifications and to consider what further action is required to progress the UDP Review to adoption by full Council

The Director of Development submitted a report providing an overview of the response to the proposed Modifications and further action required to progress the UDP Review to adoption by  full Council.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be approved and that it would not be appropriate to make any further modifications to the Plan

(b)  That having carefully considered all the representations received, they do not give rise to a need for a further public inquiry

(c)  That the schedule attached as appendix 3 to the report be published as the Council’s statement and reasons in response to the representations received

(d)  That the Notice of Intention to Adopt the UDP Review be published and that, following the expiry of the notice period, the Plan be submitted to full Council in July 2006 with a recommendation that it be formally adopted

To consider the report of the Director of Development seeking approval for the recommended outcomes of a Strategic Review of Planning and Development Services

The Director of Development submitted a report on the proposed outcomes of a Strategic Review of Planning and Development Services

RESOLVED – That the conclusions and the summary of the Change Delivery Plan as contained in the document ‘Planning a Better Future’ and as attached to the submitted report, be approved

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing outlining the Area Function Schedules for 2006/07

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report outlining the Area Function Schedules for 2006/07, detailing the budgets available for delegated services for the year and including an initial Area Function Schedule for Community Centres

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the updated Area Function Schedules for delegated budgets for 2006/07 be endorsed

(b)  That the initial Area Function Schedule for Community  Centres currently vested with Neighbourhoods and Housing be endorsed and that the centres formally become the responsibility of the Area Committees from 1^st July 2006

(c)  That a further report be brought to the Board commenting upon area decision making processes and recommending clarification of responsibilities as necessary.

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing presenting the Leeds Hate Crime strategy designed to provide a framework to deal with all aspects of hate crime with a vision to create an environment where no form of hate motivated crime is tolerated

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report presenting the Leeds Hate Crime Strategy designed to provide a framework to deal with all aspects of hate crime with a vision to create an environment where no form of hate motivated crime is tolerated.

RESOLVED – That this Board supports the implementation of the Leeds Hate Crime Strategy

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing on options for the regeneration of the Harehills area and on a proposal for the acquisition and clearance of 36 properties

Appendices 1,2 and 4 to this report are designated as exempt under access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and will be circulated at the meeting 

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report on options for the regeneration of the Harehills area and on a proposal for the acquisition and clearance of 36 properties.

Appendices 1, 2 and 4 to the report were designated as exempt under access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and were circulated at the meeting.

Following consideration of the exempt appendices in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given to the injection into the Capital Programme of £1.5m of Regional Housing Board money

(b)  That scheme expenditure to the amount of £1.5m be authorised

(c)  That officers be authorised to commence acquisition of the identified properties by voluntary agreement with the owners and that in the event that such agreement cannot be reached with the owner of any property within the target area for its acquisition, a further report be brought to this Board setting out the reasons why use of compulsory purchase powers may be considered appropriate and justified in the circumstances.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds presenting a policy document for the planning of primary school places to replace the existing Strategy for School Reorganisations approved by the Executive Board in early 2005.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report presenting a policy document for the planning of primary school places to replace the existing Strategy for School Reorganisations approved by the Executive Board on 9^th March 2005 (minute 224)

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the policy document on the planning of primary school places as attached to the report and to the framework to taking appropriate targeted action across the City.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this matter).

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on the outcome of the further discussions that have taken place since the formal consultation that took place in Summer 2005.

Further to minute 55 of the meeting held on 21^st September 2005 the Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the outcome of  further discussions since the formal consultation that took place in Summer 2005.

The Chair referred to two letters of representation which had been addressed to Members of the Board.

RESOLVED – That a statutory notice be published for the closure of Miles Hill and Potternewton Primary Schools on 31^st August 2007 and for the establishment of a 1.5 form entry primary school on the Potternewton site on 1^st September 2007.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he voted against this decision).

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on the outcome of a review of primary provision in the Horsforth Primary Planning Area

The  Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the outcome of a review of primary provision in the Horsforth Primary Planning Area.

The report presented the options of maintaining all existing provision, the amalgamation of Featherbank Infant and Newlaithes Junior schools to form a two form entry primary school and closure of Broadgate Primary School or amalgamation with another school in the area

RESOLVED –

(a)  That it be noted that Education Leeds considers an amalgamation of Featherbank Infant School and Newlaithes Junior, into a remodelled building on the junior school site to be the best option at the current time for the Horsforth area

(b)  That Education Leeds be requested to bring forward a proposal to this effect in due course and in particular to secure the necessary capital to deliver a single site primary school

(c)  That given the Children’s Centre planned for Broadgate, the Board notes that no further action is presently required with regard to the number of primary school places available in Horsforth.

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services  on a recent finding of maladministration and injustice in a report issued by the Local Government Ombudsman in relation to a school admissions matter.

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report on a recent finding of maladministration and injustice in a report issued by the Local Government Ombudsman in relation to a school admissions matter.

RESOLVED – That the Ombudsman’s report and findings be received and noted and that the recommendation that £250 be paid to the complainant, for the injustice noted in the report, be accepted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds summarising the outcomes of recent Ofsted inspections during the spring term 2006

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report summarising the outcomes  of recent OFSTED inspections during the spring term 2006.

RESOLVED – That the report and the impact of the change in the inspection framework be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on actions being followed to ensure that the schools causing the most serious concerns are being monitored, supported and challenged through planned interventions

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted  a report on actions being followed to ensure that the schools causing the most serious concerns are being monitored, supported and challenged through planned interventions.

Following consideration of appendix 1 to the report designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(1) and (2) which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and the action in schools causing concern be noted.

(During the discussion of this matter Councillor Blake declared a personal interest as a governor at Intake High School).

To consider reports of the Chief Executive (a) and of the Chief Democratic Services Officer (b) presenting a recommendation made by the Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing) following their recent inquiry into childhood obesity prevention and management

Reports were submitted by the Chief Executive and the Chief Democratic Services presenting a recommendation made by the Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing) following their recent inquiry into childhood obesity prevention and management.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Board attended the meeting and presented the Scrutiny report.

RESOLVED – That the final report of the Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing) into childhood obesity prevention and management be noted and that a further report be brought to this Board in response to recommendation 6 of the Scrutiny Board’s report.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:    16^TH JUNE 2006

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:  23^RD JUNE 2006

(Scrutiny Support will notify relevant Directors of any items called in by 12.00 noon on 26^th June 2006)